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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disease that affects approximately 11% of the general population. The gut microbiota, among other known factors, plays a substantial role in its pathogenesis. The study aimed to characterize the gut microbiota differences between patients with IBS and unaffected individuals, taking into account the gender aspect of the patients and the types of IBS determined on the basis of the Rome IV Criteria, the IBS-C, IBS-D, IBS-M, and IBS-U. In total, 121 patients with IBS and 70 unaffected individuals participated in the study; the derived stool samples were subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The gut microbiota of patients with IBS was found to be more diverse in comparison to unaffected individuals, and the differences were observed primarily among Clostridiales, Mogibacteriaceae, Synergistaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, Blautia spp., and Shuttleworthia spp., depending on the study subgroup and patient gender. There was higher differentiation of females' gut microbiota compared to males, regardless of the disease status. No correlation between the composition of the gut microbiota and the type of IBS was found. Patients with IBS were characterized by more diverse gut microbiota compared to unaffected individuals. The gender criterion should be considered in the characterization of the gut microbiota. The type of IBS did not determine the identified differences in gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune illness with an unknown cause. Autoantibody generation and probable involvement of practically every organ are hallmarks of SLE. There have been reports of significant regional variations in SLE prevalence. This difference is probably brought on by a number of sociodemographic factors, including ethnicity, geography, social support, medication compliance, environmental and occupational factors, as well as race and ethnicity. SLE generally affects women more frequently than it does men. But the severity of a disease is significantly impacted by gender difference. Objective: The study's goals were to look at the impact of age at onset and gender on illness features. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study carried out in Assiut University Hospital, Internal Medicine Department, registered in Clinical trial.gov: NCT04234633. SLE diagnosed based on criteria were recruited. Results: Our study included 185 patients, 75 were males and 110 were females. It revealed that there was statistically significant increase in alopecia and arthritis in the female group while increased incidence of nephritis and thrombocytopenia in the male group. Also, male patients have higher Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SLICC DI) compared to females. On the other hand, there was no difference between the two groups regarding other manifestations of SLE, serological markers or severity indices. Conclusion: We concluded that gender could influence the clinical picture of SLE and the outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disease that affects approximately 11% of the general population. The gut microbiota, among other known factors, plays a substantial role in its pathogenesis. The study aimed to characterize the gut microbiota differences between patients with IBS and unaffected individuals, taking into account the gender aspect of the patients and the types of IBS determined on the basis of the Rome IV Criteria, the IBS-C, IBS-D, IBS-M, and IBS-U. In total, 121 patients with IBS and 70 unaffected individuals participated in the study; the derived stool samples were subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The gut microbiota of patients with IBS was found to be more diverse in comparison to unaffected individuals, and the differences were observed primarily among Clostridiales, Mogibacteriaceae, Synergistaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, Blautia spp., and Shuttleworthia spp., depending on the study subgroup and patient gender. There was higher differentiation of females’ gut microbiota compared to males, regardless of the disease status. No correlation between the composition of the gut microbiota and the type of IBS was found. Patients with IBS were characterized by more diverse gut microbiota compared to unaffected individuals. The gender criterion should be considered in the characterization of the gut microbiota. The type of IBS did not determine the identified differences in gut microbiota.

Sustainable green economy is the need of time, and eco-friendly products can play a decisive role in this goal. Low consumption of eco-friendly products is a serious concern of researchers and policymakers. To address this issue, we have studied the phenomenon in a developing country and provided insights to researchers and policymakers about the factors that influence the consumers’ behaviour in developing behaviour. We have designed an integrated model based on UTAUT to study the developing countries’ behavioural intentions towards eco-friendly products. 805 useable sample is obtained to analyze by implying SEM-ANN dual-stage hybrid model. Results revealed that environmental knowledge is a significant predictor and a moderator, but consumers are less educated about ecological issues in developing countries. Results also revealed that male and female consumers’ preferences are differently influenced by factors studied to measure adoption intentions of eco-friendly products. Sensitivity analysis results revealed that social influence followed by effort expectance and perceived expectancy of eco-friendly products are more important for developing countries’ customers. The study also provides empirical evidence of methodological advancement using SEM-ANN and suggests a dual-stage hybrid model in studies involving human behaviour.

Students' understanding of the concepts that underlie evolution are often less than optimal and make it difficult for them to accept the theory of evolution. The aimed of this study were to: 1) map students' knowledge of Mutation and Recombination (M and R); and 2) analyze the effect of gender on their chairperson. This survey research involving 42 Biology Education students at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang was conducted in April 2021. An online questionnaire containing 34 items related to six aspects of M and R was used as an instrument for data announcements. The results, only 30.95% in the category of good knowledge. The aspect of knowledge related to the causes of M and R has the highest average accuracy of answers, while the aspect of the difference between M and R is the lowest. Only three aspects were significantly correlated with each other. Furthermore, gender has no significant effect on all aspects of student knowledge. The low knowledge of students reported in this study needs to be followed up by improving the quality of Genetics lectures to strengthen students' basic understanding of evolution.

Knowledge retention can be described as the ability of the students to assimilate available information during the learning process and recall/apply such knowledge obtained over time. Previously, students' active involvement in the teaching and learning processes through innovative pedagogies has enhanced their capacity for knowledge retention. This study, therefore, evaluated the potency of innovative pedagogy, the learning activity package (LAP), in fostering students' knowledge retention in science subjects in secondary schools, using gender as a moderating variable. The design was quasi-experimental. The sample was 208 class two students grouped into experimental and control groups exposed to LAP and lecture methods, respectively. Data were obtained using the Chemistry Achievement and Retention Test and analyzed with mean, standard deviation, standard error, and the analysis of covariance, computed with SPSS. The findings revealed that the innovative pedagogy improved the students' knowledge retention in science more than the lecture method at F (1,202) = 45.72, p = .00, p = .05. Besides, there was no interaction effect of method and gender on the students' retention of knowledge in science at F (1, 203) = 2.47, p = .12, p > .05. The implication is the avalanche of innovative science teachers who blend their instructional strategies to provide for the student's active participation in the teaching-learning processes for enhanced students' knowledge retention in science subjects. This research is novel because science teachers can easily adopt the LAP approach for effective lesson delivery, culminating in enhanced students' knowledge retention in secondary schools in developing nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Experimental studies suggest that testosterone reduces the nociceptive response after inflammatory and neuropathic stimuli, however the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of peripheral blockade of testosterone on pain behaviour and on expression levels of the genes that encode the NaV1.7 and NaV1.8 channels, in dorsal root ganglia in an acute postoperative pain model, as well as the influence of androgen blockade on the expression of these genes. Methods Postoperative pain was induced by a plantar incision and the study group received flutamide to block testosterone receptor. The animals were submitted to behavioural evaluation preoperatively, 2 h after incision, and on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 7th postoperative days. Von Frey test was used to evaluate paw withdrawal threshold after mechanical stimuli and the guarding pain test to assess spontaneous pain. The expression of the genes encoding the sodium channels at the dorsal root ganglia was determined by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results Animals treated with flutamide presented lower paw withdrawal threshold at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th postoperative days. The guarding pain test showed significant decrease in the flutamide group at 2 h and on the 3rd and 7th postoperative days. No difference was detected between the study and control groups for the gene expression. Conclusions Our data suggest an antinociceptive effect of androgens following plantar incision. The expression of genes that encode voltage-gated sodium channels was not influenced by androgen blockade.

We investigated the influence of mental imagery expertise in 15 pen and paper role-players as an expert group compared to the gender-matched control group of computer role-players in the difficult Vandenberg and Kuse mental rotation task. In this task, the participants have to decide which two of four rotated figures match the target figure. The dependent measures were performance speed and accuracy. In our exploratory investigation, we further examined midline frontal theta band activation, parietal alpha band activation, and parietal alpha band asymmetry in EEG as indicator for the chosen rotation strategy. Additionally, we explored the gender influence on performance and EEG activation, although a very small female sample section was given. The expected gender difference concerning performance accuracy was negated by expertise in pen and paper role-playing women, while the gender-specific difference in performance speed was preserved. Moreover, gender differences concerning electro-cortical measures revealed differences in rotation strategy, with women using top-down strategies compared to men, who were using top-down strategies and active inhibition of associative cortical areas. These strategy uses were further moderated by expertise, with higher expertise leading to more pronounced activation patters, especially during successful performance. However, due to the very limited sample size, the findings of this explorative study have to be interpreted cautiously.

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Objectives: Primary urethral carcinoma (PUC) is rare, accounting for

The study attempted to examine an integrated depiction of socio-cultural dynamics of gender norm, traditional masculinity, and sport/physical activity attitudes. For the purpose of the study, a structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to explore structurally confluent relationships among Socio-cultural Influences on Traditional Gender Norms (SITGN), Traditional Masculinity Attitudes (TMA), and Sport/Physical Activity Attitudes (SPA). As a result, the study rendered a statistically 'fit' model while meeting all fit index criteria: X²= 128.105 (df = 63, p <.01), NFI = .915, NNFI = .944, CFI = .954, RMSEA = .059. However, the model was achieved by several modifications such as exclusions of the relationship between SITGN and SPA and few 'sub' variables under SPA in relation to TMA. This model suggests a collective deployment of traditional gender norm influences onto traditional masculinity and its relations to men's discriminatory selections of attitudes toward sport/physical activity experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Primary urethral carcinoma (PUC) is rare, accounting for <1% of genitourinary malignancies. Current knowledge regarding is founded upon tertiary care centers reporting their experiences. We aim to identify factors predictive of outcomes using a nationwide registry database. Materials and Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-18 registries database was queried for cases of PUC ranging between 2004 and 2010. To identify PUC cases, ICD-O site code C68.0 was used as a filter, hence identifying PUC with histologic subtypes including urothelial carcinoma (UC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and adenocarcinoma (AC). Tumor characteristics were compared using log-rank analysis, and survival outcomes were compared using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: A total of 419 PUC cases were identified, 250 (59.7%) male and 169 (40.3%) female patients. The most common histology in men was UC (134, 53.6%), followed by SCC (87, 34.8%) and AC (29, 11.6%). The most common histology in women was AC (79, 46.7%), followed by SCC (43, 25.4%) and UC (42, 24.9%). Log-rank analysis illustrated significant difference in cancer-specific survival (CSS) for T-stage, N-stage, M-stage, and stage of PUC with all histological variants combined (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that stage and age were significant for survival, with a risk ratio of 1.033 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.020-1.046)/year of increased age (P < 0.001) and 3.71 (95% CI, 2.72-5.05) for patients with regional or distant spread. Conclusions: Knowledge of patient and tumor characteristics that influences survival is paramount in dictating management. The present study illustrates that age and stage are factors significantly associated with CSS in PUC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis with a significantly varying clinical course following relapses and remissions, which may involve a number of organs such as the skin, joints, lungs, and blood vessels as well as systems such as the central nervous system and gastrointestinal system. Its prognosis is known to be worse in males. There are several studies in the literature on the clinical features and gender distribution of BD. The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical characteristics of BD and the presence of a relation with gender and to investigate the correlation of our results with the current literature. Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 329 patient files. The demographic features of the patients, their symptoms and findings of BD, the results of pathergy tests, the presence of any individuals in the family with BD, and HLA-B51 antigen positivity were recorded. Results: The most frequent findings were oral aphtous ulcers (100%), genital ulcers (84%), papulopustular lesions (69.9%), and joint involvement (57.4%). Vascular involvement and ocular involvement were significantly higher in males, whereas joint involvement and headache were more common in females (p<0.001, p=0.014, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). Contrary to the literature, we found that the disease had an earlier onset in individuals with a positive familial history of an oral aphthous ulcer or BD (p=0.03 and p=0.02, respectively) and that joint involvement was more common in patients with erythema nodosum (p=0.02). Conclusion: The clinical features of BD may vary between the genders. Variations exist in the results depending on the population size, the department where the study was conducted, the patient inclusion criteria, and the region where the patients live. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Orthostatic intolerance occurs in some astronauts following space flight. Although orthostatic blood pressure responses should normalize in the weeks following the return to Earth, there may be situations where an immediate short-term solution is necessary (e.g., emergency evacuation)., Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine different levels of blood flow restriction on changes in blood pressure and heart rate when transitioning from supine to a head-up tilt and determine whether this change differs based on sex., Methods: Eighty-nine participants (45 men, 44 women) completed the three visits with different pressures (Sham, Moderate, and High) in a randomized order. Cuffs were placed on the most proximal area of the thighs. Brachial blood pressure was measured at baseline, upon inflation of the cuffs in a supine position, immediately after tilt (70°), and eight more times separated by 45 seconds., Results: Data are presented as mean (SD). The change in systolic (High > Moderate > Sham) [High vs Sham: 5.5 (7.4) mmHg, High vs Moderate: 3 (7.4) mmHg, and Moderate vs Sham: 2.4 (8.4) mmHg] and diastolic pressure (High > Moderate = Sham) [High vs Sham: 2.4 (5.3) mmHg, High vs Moderate: 1.9 (6.3) mmHg] differed across applied pressures. The change in heart rate was initially greatest in the sham-pressure but increased the greatest in the high-pressure condition by the end of the head-up tilt period. Additionally, there was no influence of sex., Conclusion: Blood flow restriction applied in this study increased blood pressure in a pressure-dependent manner upon head-up tilt.

Purpose: High-resolution ultrasound is increasingly used in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome; yet little is known about gender differences in clinical presentation and ultrasound findings. Materials and methods: In this high-resolution ultrasound-based retrospective study in 170 cases, we assessed gender influence in CTS in terms of the severity of neural alterations by wrist-to-forearm ratio (WFR), epineural thickening, loss of fascicular anatomy, as well as classical signs and symptoms. The control group consisted of 42 wrists. Results: Women present with a greater WFR at first admission are affected more often bilaterally, and report less subjective pain intensity, while men report fewer nightly pain episodes at higher WFR. Loss of fascicular anatomy is three times more frequent in women. An increase in epineural thickness, loss of fascicular anatomy, and involvement of more than 1.5 fingers correlate significantly with WFR regardless of sex. Conclusion: Women differ significantly from men in terms of clinical presentation and ultrasound findings upon first diagnosis of CTS, which should be included in further diagnostic considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the influence of mental imagery expertise in 15 pen and paper role-players as an expert group compared to the gender-matched control group of computer role-players in the difficult Vandenberg and Kuse mental rotation task. In this task, the participants have to decide which two of four rotated figures match the target figure. The dependent measures were performance speed and accuracy. In our exploratory investigation, we further examined midline frontal theta band activation, parietal alpha band activation, and parietal alpha band asymmetry in EEG as indicator for the chosen rotation strategy. Additionally, we explored the gender influence on performance and EEG activation, although a very small female sample section was given. The expected gender difference concerning performance accuracy was negated by expertise in pen and paper role-playing women, while the gender-specific difference in performance speed was preserved. Moreover, gender differences concerning electro-cortical measures revealed differences in rotation strategy, with women using top-down strategies compared to men, who were using top-down strategies and active inhibition of associative cortical areas. These strategy uses were further moderated by expertise, with higher expertise leading to more pronounced activation patters, especially during successful performance. However, due to the very limited sample size, the findings of this explorative study have to be interpreted cautiously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated impact of captioned video instruction on Nigerian hearing impaired pupils' performance in English language. The study adopted quasi-experimental pretest, post test, control group design. The experimental group was exposed to captioned video instruction while the control group was taught using the conventional teaching method for the hearing impaired. Two hypotheses were raised and field validated Primary English Performance Test (PEPT) used as data collection instrument. The study concluded that both instructional strategies were effective in giving English language instruction to hearing impaired pupils, as performance of the two groups did not indicate any significant difference and gender did not influence their performance either. Consequently, it was recommended that teachers should be trained to design and develop captioned video, and infrastructural base for their use in the schools provided by Government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In Behcet's disease (BD), it is customary to believe that men are more affected than women, major organs are more involved in men, and they have worse outcomes. The male-to-female ratio is reported from 5.37 to 1 (Egypt), to 0.38 to 1 (US). If in the majority of reports BD was seen more frequently in men, in some others it was more frequent in women. The aim of this study was to examine a large cohort of patients, in whom manifestations were gender related, and to examine the strength of associations and their clinical relevance. Patients and Methods: All patients of the BD registry, Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, entered the study (6702 patients). The percentage of 95 items was calculated in both genders (with their 95% confidence intervals), and were compared together by the chi-squared test. Odds ratio (OR) and relative risk (RR) were also calculated. Results: Forty-three out of 95 items were gender-related (29 for males, 14 for females) with a statistically significant difference by chi-squared. Significant OR (confidence interval not reaching 1) was found for 79 items. However, clinically significant OR (2 or more for men and 0.5 or less for women) showed an association only with 16 items; five with females and 11 with males. The most important was vascular involvement. Conclusion: No strong association (OR of 2 or more) was found between the male gender and major organ involvement, except for vascular lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is of general belief that males are prone to more frequent, more severe manifestations, and less favorable outcome. We evaluated this hypothesis in ophthalmological manifestations (OM) of Behcet's Disease (BD). Visual acuity (VA), anterior uveitis, posterior uveitis (PU), and retinal vasculitis (RV) were checked, according to Ben Ezra, in 1,515 patients with eye lesions. The data at baseline and last visit were compared. Male/female ratio was 1.2 in the BD registry (6,500 patients) and 1.51 for OM patients (Chi = 98.962, p < 0.0001). The patients-year-follow-up was 4,987. All parameters improved significantly from the baseline. Mean VA improved from 4.87 to 5.35 for males ( p < 0.0001) and from 5.20 to 5.74 for females ( p < 0.0001). Difference between males/females at baseline was not significant ( p = 0.60). The mean improvement for males/females was statistically non-significant ( p = 0.58). Percent improvement of eyes for males/females was 47.1%/48.8% ( p = 0.41). Mean PU improved from 1.83 to 0.71 for males ( p < 0.0001) and from 1.66 to 0.49 for females ( p < 0.0001). Difference between males/females at baseline was significant ( p = 0.01). The mean improvement for males/females was statistically non-significant ( p = 0.45). Percent improvement of eyes for males/females was 75.4%/81.0% ( p = 0.004). Mean RV improved from 2.05 to 1.16 for males ( p < 0.0001) and from 1.97 to 0.99 for females ( p < 0.0001). Difference between males/females at baseline was not significant ( p = 0.42). The mean improvement for males/females was statistically non-significant ( p = 0.47). Percent improvement of eyes for males/females was 62%/64.4% ( p = 0.33). Male gender is more prone to ocular manifestations. The severity of lesions at baseline was the same for VA and RV. For PU, the difference was statistically significant, but was not clinically relevant. The therapeutic outcome (mean improvement and percent of improved eyes) was the same for all parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper arose from a PhD thesis entitled 'What do patients want? Psychoanalytic perspectives from the couch'. As outcome studies in psychoanalysis have usually only acknowledged the analyst's voice, this empirical research provided an opportunity for patients to be heard. The aim was to discover what they themselves perceived as helpful, or unhelpful, in the analytic process. One of the central themes that emerged was a powerful connection between the analytic and real life experiences of father, at many levels, which needed to be explored within the transference relationship with the analyst. From this material two broad areas surfaced: the 'emotionally present' and 'emotionally absent' analyst. Specific case material from patients' narratives is used to demonstrate the very powerful nature of the transference/counter-transference relationship, the significance of early relating patterns which need to be understood and skillfully addressed, and the difficulties encountered when repetition occurs and the analytic task of working through does not take place. 'Father hunger' is prominent. An exploration of central issues which have contributed to such a variation in these experiences draws attention to the significance of the analysts' personal characteristics as a major impact on analytic outcomes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botswana has been a host country to migrant teachers from various countries and regions of the world for many years. This paper reports on the migration motives that prompted teachers from four countries to move to Botswana to work in junior and senior secondary schools, and their attitudes towards human resource management (HRM) policies and practices in these schools. The teachers completed an 87-item questionnaire which measured four dimensions of migration push-pull factors, and HRM policy and practice issues. Multiple factors were revealed, linked to economic issues, personal circumstances, community and school-related conditions in both the home and host countries. However, the influence of each factor is related to migrants' gender and countries of origin. As a follow-up to the above, a small, qualitative investigation was conducted. The reactions of five Botswana school managers to the HRM issues raised in the first phase were investigated by means of interviews. The results reveal the unique challenges of a diversified workforce for HRM in these schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activities of catalase in liver, heart and kidney as well as glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in liver, heart, kidney, and serum from hypertriglyceridemic and hypertensive female and male rats were measured at 3 and 8 months of daily administration of sucrose in their drinking water. This treatment induces high levels of serum triglycerides, central obesity, moderate hypertension, hyperinsulinemia, and an increase in lipoper oxida tion, among other alterations. The experimental periods were chosen on the basis of previous observations: at 3 months the level of serum triglycerides increases significantly above the normal value and remains without major changes thereafter, but the blood pressure only rises significantly at about 4 months in males and 5 months in females. So, at 8 months the rats have been subjected to abnormal conditions for 3–4 months. The effect of these and the influence of sex on levels of antioxidant enzymes were investigated. Both factors, sucrose treatment and sex, were conducive to significant changes in those variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. A sample of 27 patients with brain injury distributed in five clinical classes was examined for pre- and post-treatment symptoms and associated power spectra. Methods. Changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) compressed spectral arrays were analyzed with respect to the rate of rehabilitation and correlated with a checklist of symptoms for each patient and the group as a whole. Results. Targeted decreases in slower (3-7 Hz) and higher (24-32 Hz) frequencies, and EMG (70-90 Hz), and increases of alpha (8-12 Hz) and mid-range beta frequencies (15-18 Hz) were achieved following Neuro- BioFeedback (NBF) treatment using positive reward tones and a simultaneous visual reward. The impact of gender and age class influence was assessed against treatment results. Single lead EEG power spectra changes were analyzed for hemispherectomized patients, stroke, car accident and trauma patients. A common EEG pattern was observed for a group of patients exhibiting vertigo with two subgroups in which vertigo resolved or did not resolve showing EEG differences. Conclusions. EEG NeuroBioFeedback can successfully treat patients with brain injury with highly clinically-meaningful clinical results. Changes in Cz power spectra generally occur, but do not always immediately follow resolution of symptoms. Since EEG-NBF is limited to recording cortical surface potentials, it is possible that changes induced by the treatment which result in clinical changes may not always be reflected at the cortical surface and hence may not be available for recording and analysis there, despite subcortical integration. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]